Cuts to science research funding cut American lives short − federal support is essential for medical breakthroughs

Nearly every modern medical treatment can be traced to research funded by the National Institutes of Health: from over-the-counter and prescription medications that treat high cholesterol and pain to protection…

Mitochondria keep your brain cells alive − helping them run smoothly may protect against Parkinson’s disease

In 1817, a British physician named James Parkinson published An Essay on the Shaking Palsy, describing for the first time cases of a neurodegenerative disorder now known as Parkinson’s disease.…

What links aging and disease? A growing body of research says it’s a faulty metabolism

Aging is a biological process that no one can avoid. Ideally, growing old should be a time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Aging also has a…

Sleep can give athletes an edge over competitors − but few recognize how fundamental sleep is to performance

In the adrenaline-packed world of professional sports, the power of sleep rarely gets adequate attention. A healthy sleep pattern can be a stealthy game plan for athletes to gain an…

Alzheimer’s disease is partly genetic − studying the genes that delay decline in some may lead to treatments for all

Diseases that run in families usually have genetic causes. Some are genetic mutations that directly cause the disease if inherited. Others are risk genes that affect the body in a…